Iam a recent master graduate seeking for life science job in basel. i did my masters in biology and bachelor in biotechnology and biochemistry,
Anybody to save me , i never new is such a painful situation to look for a job after big education, a lot of pharmaticular industries in basel and all you need connection to get in , any advice for me my friends , i real need to get a job any where , roche , novartis any life science conpanies

Can't save you, but can say hello and welcome to the Forum. Good luck in your search.

Hi Michesy,

Well you are half way there with an education, all you need is the experience it seems. Of course you have to have a job to get the experience. It is called the catch 22.

You have, of course, contacted the HR departments of the companies you listed. You also would of been monitoring the job sites and also the vacancy sites of the companies your listed. You would be at the point of cold calling the companies you listed and try to speak to someone in HR. Also, since you cannot throw a Leckerli in Basel without hitting someone employed in those companies listed, you have been asking everyone you know or meet about work opportunities.

Keep at it, we all have gone through this at some point. I'm about to go through it again, as I need experience in either a Bank or Pharma or any Swiss company before I will be hired by such.

CK

Maybe try to search for a praktika. As soon your in a comp and get to know the people, theres a much bigger chance to land a job! Its all about experience!

How many CVs have you sent and how many rejections you already got?

I was in similar position like you 2 years ago, have Masters of Sciences but 0 experience. I sent 80 applications, I failed 2 interviews , had to work as kitchen assistant for a moment.

Now I am working with one Biopharma Company, comfortable salary, and happy with my worklife.

Never give up and try to apply some entree level such as 'assistants' level with Life Sciences company. Once you in and prove that you can really do the job, you can easily move to higher job position.

Ok some might be lucky, but others have to do extra to get what they want. Wish you best of luck!

Have a friend that went through big studies in Physics and Chemistry. Was also hard for him to find a job.

How he found it?

He looked which company was doing commercial development related to his specific academic research and the bingo! He had to move states though.

Its difficult to find this info. The problem is, companies try to hide what kind of commercial development they are doing, but sometimes, information leaks intentionally or unintentionally.

dear all
thank you very much , yeah it tough real tough i sent almost 50 applications and all came back negative , may be i should try out some methods you suggested ,
thanks

Don't get irritated by this, but ... if your CV is similar to your opening post then get someone to check it in case it's full of grammatical errors.

If your CV is fine and your post doesn't reflect your usual writing skills then, obviously, ignore this post.

I hope you are having someone check the English on your applications, it is obvious it is not your first language.

Also, I hope you are not sending out paper applications: everything is done via Email nowadays, and paper applications actually are a disadvantage (they are bulky, take up space, and are easily lost).

My experience is it takes about 120 applications, and over 10 interviews before you get lucky, especially in the current economy.

Hi michesy!

Sorry, but I don't have any suggestion. The only thing I'm writing becouse, I'm in the same trap. I sent nearly 100 application, and not a single call in for an interview.
Where are you from?

Hi,

Even if you are not eligable to claim unemployment benefit the RAV can be a very good source of information. I was put on a course to help me find a job (JobBasis A) and it was extremely helpful. I realised that I had to change the style of my CV, cover letters quite dramatically to suit the Swiss style. It is quite different to the UK and USA.

Don't give up!!

Catch 22 is the correct word, thing is as soon as you have the job and the experience you will be deemed too old, younger, faster and cheaper people will be on the starting block wanting your job.
Sorry can not help but I wish you all the best.

I'm looking for a job myself and although my field isn't so popular, I've seen so many ads looking for people like you! My tips:
- Try googling your profile. I'd been looking for positions for days in vain when my fiance typed "job geneva" in the search box and proved his point. The first two links were awesome. So try things like these. Then maybe narrow it down a bit, adding more phrases.
- I do know that experience is important. But I'm also sure that if I really wanted a job that required a couple of years of experience, I'd just fight my way through and prove what a fast learner I am. So I'd definitely give such positions a try.
- Come on! There must be something wrong with the way you apply. (I know lots of people are in the same position here -- there must be something wrong with the way they apply.) I know not all people are born to do marketing but jobhunting is just that. I would never lie in a CV but I'd sure make it appealing, phrasing things in a more eye catching, more convincing way.
Also, as has been often said here, it's essential that you have no typos, etc. in your CV. There's a thread on CV writing for the Swiss market, check that out if you haven't.
And I'm no expert but I wouldn't spread my CV out in all the country. I'd apply to fewer positions but make sure that my CV's tailored to meet the needs of that very position and company (maybe use phrases like the ones they use in the ad). Employers must think that their company is where you want to work and that position is the only one you strive for.
Keep us updated. Best of luck!

__________________
"Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others."

Hi,

The other thing you need to do in a place like Basel is network a bit. Join a few clubs and get to know people. Basel is very much a village when it comes to people knowing each other. Very often the best way to get a CV under a hiring manager's nose is via a friends who works in the same office.

Oh, and do try to learn German as it will open a heck of a lot more doors.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Nick

Why should they hire you?

Best advice I can give you is NETWORKING, NETWORKING, NETWORKING. In this current market of high demand and low supply, it´s all about you having the connections and being referred to the hiring people. So network with everyone you know, get them to refer you onto others...lots of coffees, lunches etc and you have to keep at it no matter what.

Also research companies which specialises in your area of interest and consider applying for jobs that you might not necessarily have a great passion in doing. Because in this current market you just need to get your foot in the door and you can move towards your goal.

If you are looking for jobs in Pharma companies, may be consider moving to Zug....This Kanton is swimming in pharma companies.

Good luck and keep positive.

Would have...

Try getting the number 34 direction Wettsteinplatz, or the number 2 tram (Same direction) from SBB. Full of Roche employees. If you travel often enough at the same time, you might recognise some of the regulars, who'd recognise you. Begin a conversation...

For Novartis, trams 11, 17 and 8.

What NickAtBaselSoonToBeZürich says about connections is absolutely true. But take heart - it must be possible - otherwise everyone would be unemployed. And the last few years have been a little tough.

Bad time to come out of Uni, better to wait until the recession is over. Still, it could be worse, a lot, lot worse. You could be in GB, where 300+ people apply for every job. Or Spain, 1000+, Or Greece, where there isn't any jobs...

Keep knocking on the door, something will come up, and when it does, you'll be so grateful you'll work like a dog and your management will be suitably impressed and offer you a raise. Trust me, I know...

Patience is a real virtue in the Swiss job market. It took months for several Swiss employers to put me through their interviewing process, and then one German company only two interviews to decide to hire me.

Hold onto the belief that you have valuable skills and relentessly network and apply for jobs and you will get one! That is the only way.

Good luck!

Did you get a job in the end? I am interested to know as like you I have a science degree and masters. I have 11 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry and am now looking for work due to site closure of Pfizer, Sandwich.